The Science of High Performance & Its Impact on High Performance Coaching

On April 14th -15th, the Irish Institute of Sport will hold its second workshop event for high performance coaches who participate on the Institute's high performance coach education programme. The performance which is entitled the 'Pursuit of Excellence Programme' provides high performance coaches with the opportunity to access grant aid and expert support designed to enhance their personal and professional development. In 2011 20 coaches from 10 sports have been accepted onto the programme which involves a range of professional development supports.

Each year the programme provides a diverse array of support to each programme participant. Coaches typically use their grant aid to invest in the development of their skills and experiences by attending a range of learning and development events i.e. conferences around the world. In tandem with individual learning and development programmes, coaches also met 3 times per year to complete 2 day workshops focusing on a range of leading edge issues facing coaches in high performance sport. The theme of the upcoming workshop is focused exclusively on performance science and medicine and how its impacts the coaching process.

Dave Passmore addressing the 1st pursuit of excellence workshop for 2011

Top speakers across a range of multi disciplinary sciences will present on a range of high performance case studies. Gary Keegan, Director, Irish Institute of Sport commented 'Science and medicine plays a critical role in our organizational mission. The business of high performance sport is a world driven by a thirst for improvement. Our ability to realise human potential is largely predicated on our understanding of how the body and mind responds to training and competition. The upcoming pursuit of excellence workshop provides our top high performance coaches with a unique opportunity to interface with top experts in the allied fields of sport science and medicine.'

Phil Moore, Director, Performance Services, Irish Institute of Sport stated 'The pursuit of excellence workshop is an excellent opportunity for us to showcase best practice examples of how sport science and medicine expertise has created a positive performance impact for athletes and coaches. The Institute of Sport is best placed to provide coaches with a unique insight into the integration of science and medicine into the coaching process. We are delighted to share our expertise and knowledge with such an important part of our high performance community.'

Day one of the workshop involves a series of top speakers presenting on themes such as high performance culture, exercise physiology and high altitude training. The day one programme is as follows:

Day two of the workshop focuses on a range of themes relating to athlete performance lifestyle, performance analysis, and performance medicine. The day two programme will conclude with a workshop dedicated to providing coaches with skills and knowledge designed to integrate best practice performance science and medicine into their coaching programme.

Daragh Sheridan, Pursuit of Excellence, Programme Manager stated 'We are delighted with the number of coaches who have accepted their invitation to attend the upcoming workshop series. In total 18 coaches from 10 sports will be in attendance. The upcoming event promises to an intensive and proactive learning experience that will no doubt enhance our high performance coaching community'